Economy

After an EU justice ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Justice Minister David van Weel warned the Netherlands is vigilant about likely Iranian cyberattacks that could target US and Israeli interests and possibly spread to other targets.

A new initiative in the Brainport region is training hundreds of asylum seekers for high-demand jobs in the local semiconductor industry. The program combines technical skills with specialized language coaching to help newcomers fill thousands of vacancies in the thriving Brainport region.

The ECB is on guard about the impact of the Middle East conflict on eurozone inflation amid sharply rising oil and gas prices. Policymakers call the situation volatile and say it is too early to judge the implications for future rate decisions; the bank is expected to hold rates at its next meeting.

Developers have reached a deal to build a new 24-storey residential tower at the historic Strijp-S site in Eindhoven. The PULSE project will feature 176 rental homes and creative workspaces designed to honour the area’s industrial heritage.

The Dutch Data Protection Authority is calling for urgent government action to regulate artificial intelligence and protect citizens from discrimination. The watchdog warns that current oversight is insufficient to manage risks such as deepfakes, fraud, and the impact of chatbots on young users.

European gas prices jumped by more than 9% on Thursday morning, reaching €53.26 per megawatt-hour on the Amsterdam exchange as the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran entered its sixth day. Although a US-led plan to protect shipping briefly steadied markets on Wednesday, the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz has fueled fears of a long-term energy shortage. This latest price spike was triggered by Iranian claims of an attack on an American tanker in the Persian Gulf, leaving traders increasingly worried about the security of vital global fuel supplies.

Dutch exporters are losing millions as conflict in the Middle East disrupts major shipping and flight corridors. Logistics experts warn that diverted cargo is causing a backlog at alternative ports, leaving containers stranded and driving up transport fees. Although everyday consumer goods remain stable for now, the crisis is severely impacting the delivery of vital medical supplies.

Rabobank economists warn that the conflict in the Middle East could lead to sharp increases in Dutch petrol and energy prices. In the most severe scenario they examined, fuel could reach €3 per litre and energy bills could rise above €400 per month. Other analysts expect a smaller impact, but say the outlook depends heavily on how long the conflict lasts.